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The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Self-Compassion in Female Students with Anxiety Symptoms

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

10.30476/smsj.2025.101765.1498

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on self-compassion in female students with anxiety symptoms.
Methods: The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test involving two groups (experimental and control). The statistical population consisted of all female students with anxiety symptoms in the second grade of high school (tenth grade, humanities major) in Zabol (Iran) during the academic year 2022-2033. Due to the difficulties associated with random sampling techniques, 40 students were selected via a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group (n=20 per group). Anxiety symptoms were assessed using McCroskey and Richmond’s classroom anxiety questionnaire (1982), and data were collected using Neff’s self–compassion scale (2003) (SCS). The experimental group received an 8-session MBCT program, with one 2-hour session per week, while the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS software (version 26).
Results: The results indicated that participation in MBCT sessions led to a significant improvement in the total self-compassion score and its subscales in the experimental group from pre-test to post-test (F=107.35, P<0.001, η²=0.787). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was observed between the mean self-compassion scores of the experimental and control groups. 
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that MBCT could significantly enhance self-compassion and reduce anxiety in students by increasing awareness and acceptance. This improvement also positively affected students’ social relationships and academic performance.

Keywords

References
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Available Online from 13 October 2025
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